Secure and collapsible landing-pit stake for the game of horseshoe-pitching

ABSTRACT

A secure and collapsible landing-pit stake for the game of horseshoe-pitching is disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The game of horseshoe-pitching has a landing-pit. This pit can be clay,dirt or sand on the earth or portable when mounted on a flat surfacesuch as a steel plate. If the stake is removed, it can get lost or beused as a weapon, so permanently mounting the sake prevents this.However, permanently mounted stakes can cause accidents and aredifficult when storing portable pits. This invention connects the staketo the landing-pit by a cable. The stake can be screwed into a socketwhen in use or unscrewed when not in use. The cable is connected in sucha way as to not twist when screwing the stake on and off.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The game of horseshoe-pitching has a landing-pit. This pit can be clay,dirt or sand on the earth or portable when mounted on a flat surfacesuch as a steel plate. If the stake is removed, it can get lost or beused as a weapon, so permanently mounting the sake prevents this.However, permanently mounted stakes can cause accidents and aredifficult when storing portable pits. The invention claimed here solvesthis problem.

This invention solves this problem by having one end of a wire cablesecured within the stake (pipe).

The other end of the cable is fed through a threaded socket such as aflange or plumber's end-cap and then anchored to the landing-pit (steelplate).

The claimed invention differs from what currently exists. Otherlanding-pit stakes are permanently mounted or fully removable.

This invention is an improvement on what currently exists. Otherlanding-pit stakes are not permanently mounted, so stakes can get lostor be used as a weapon. Permanently mounted stakes are a safety hazardas the stake is constantly in the way, which could be tripped over or aperson could be impaled if they fall. Also permanently mounted stakesare difficult to store or ship when the landing-pit is a portableversion.

The Version of the Invention Discussed Here Includes:

A steel plate landing-pit, a threaded plumber end-cap, plumber pipethreaded on one end, a steel cable, a stopper-bar, cable-crimps on bothends of the cable, and a stopper-tube.

Relationship Between the Components:

The socket (pipe end-cap) is welded to the plate. The pipe can bescrewed on and off of the welded end-cap. The cable prevents the pipefrom being separated from the plate. The pipe contains a stopper-barwithin. The cable is connected to the plate on one end and the other endis crimped within the pipe. A stopper-tube resides within the pipe abovethe stopper-bar. The cable is fed through the stopper-tube and thencrimped. This allows the pipe to spin easily while the cable does notspin. The stopper-bar prevents the pipe from being detached from thecable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a square steel plate with a pipe connected to its center.FIG. 1 lead-line 102 is the steel plate and FIG. 1 lead-line 101 is thepipe.

DETAILS DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1, lead-line 101 shows a steel, 3/4 inch by 15 inch, plumber pipe.

FIG. 1, lead-line 102 shows a 1/4 by 25 by 25 inch steel plate.

FIG. 1, lead-line 103 shows a 1/8 inch, steel cable.

FIG. 1, lead-line 104 shows a 1/2 inch solid steel bar with a 1/4 inchhole drilled through the center. Referred to as the stopper-tube.

FIG. 1, lead-line 105 shows a steel pin (16-penny nail). Referred to asthe stopper-bar.

FIG. 1, lead-line 106 shows the threaded end of the pipe. Whereinthreads are 3/4 inch pipe standard in accordance with ANSI/ASME B1.20.1for the American Standard Pipe Thread Taper.

FIG. 1, lead-line 107 shows a plumber pipe-end-cap with a 1/4 inch holedrilled through the bottom.

FIG. 1, lead-line 108 shows the threads within a metal socket, whosethreads mate with FIG. 106.

FIG. 1, lead-line 109 shows a cable ferrule crimper.

FIG. 1, lead-line 110 shows a steel washer with the cable threadedthrough the middle of the washer.

FIG. 1, lead-line 111 shows a 1/4 inch hole drilled in the plate.

FIG. 1, lead-line 112 shows where the socket is welded to the plate.

FIG. 1, lead-line 113 shows a 1/4 inch hole drilled in the plate.

FIG. 1, lead-line 114 shows a cable ferrule crimper.

How the Invention Works:

The pipe can be screwed on and off of the welded end-cap, but the pipecannot be removed because the cable is held in place on both ends. Thepipe is able to move freely while turning because the cable is crimpedabove the stopper-tube.

How to Make the Invention:

-   -   1. A 3/4 inch plumber pipe is cut 15 inch long and threaded on        one end. See FIG. 1, lead-line 101.    -   2. Three inches from the threaded end, a 1/8 inch hole is        drilled through the pipe. See FIG. 1, lead-line 105.    -   3. A 16-penny nail is placed through the hole. See FIG. 1,        lead-line 105.    -   4. The nailed is welded to each hole and the nail is cut flush        with the outside of the pipe. See FIG. 1, lead-line 105.    -   5. A 1/8 inch metal cable is cut 10 inches long. See FIG. 1,        lead-line 103.    -   6. A 1/2 inch diameter solid tube is cut 1 inch long. See FIG.        1, lead-line 104.    -   7. The center of the tube is drilled out with 1/4 inch drill        bit. See FIG. 1, lead-line 104.    -   8. The cable is threaded through the tube's hole. See FIG. 1,        lead-line 104.    -   9. The cable is crimped with a ferrule on one end See FIG. 1,        lead-line 114.    -   10. The tube is slid next to the crimped end of the cable. See        FIG. 1, lead-line 104.    -   11. The cable is fed through the pipe from the non-threaded end        of the pipe. Thereby placing the tube above the nail. See FIG.        1, lead-line 104.    -   12. The cable exits from the threaded end of the pipe. See FIG.        1, lead-line 111.    -   13. The cable stops when the tube hits the stopper-bar (welded        nail) within the pipe. See FIG. 1, lead-line 105.    -   14. A 1/4 inch steel plate is cut 25×25 inches. See FIG. 1,        lead-line 102.    -   15. A pipe end-cap is welded to the center of the plate with the        threads facing upward. See FIG. 1, lead-line 112.    -   16. A 1/4 inch hole is drilled through the center of the end-cap        and plate. See FIG. 1, lead-line 111.    -   17. The cable is fed through the hole in the center of the        end-cap and plate. See FIG. 1, lead-line 111.    -   18. A 1/4 inch hole is drilled through the plate 1/2 inch from        the base of the end-cap. See FIG. 1, lead-line 113.    -   19. The cable is fed through this hole. See FIG. 1, lead-line        113.    -   20. A washer is placed over the cable. See FIG. 1, lead-line        110.    -   21. The cable is ferrule crimped. See FIG. 1, lead-line 109.

All elements are necessary for this invention.

Other configurations for this invention could use other flat surfacematerials such as wood, metal, or plastic instead of a steel plate forthe landing area. The landing area and pipe could be other dimensions.The length of the cable and drill hole locations could be different.Also a pipe flange could be bolted to the landing-pit instead of weldingan end-cap.

How to Use the Invention:

The plate is the landing area for the game of horseshoe-pitching. Theplate can be covered with dirt, sand, clay, foam, rubber, or other formsof padding. The pipe is screwed to the plate to hold the pipe uprightduring the game. For safety, storage, or shipping, the pipe is unscrewedand laid on top of the plate.

Additionally: This invention securely holds a pipe on a surface whileenabling the pipe or surface to be spun. Other usages for this could bein any mechanical device such as a motor vehicle's axial holding a tirewith a safety cable. The tire could spin freely, but if the tire were tofall off, the cable would hold the tire near the axial. This inventioncould also be used in other applications where a rod is used such as inthe game of ring-toss.

What is claimed is:
 1. The game of horseshoe-pitching has a landing-pitand a stake in the middle of the pit. This pit can be clay, dirt or sandon the earth or portable when mounted on a flat surface such as a woodenboard. If the stake is removed from the pit, the stake can get lost orbe used as a weapon, so permanently mounting the sake prevents this.However, permanently mounted stakes can cause accidents and aredifficult when storing portable pits. This invention connects the staketo the landing-pit by a cable. The stake is attached to the pit in athreaded socket. The socket and cable are permanently connected to thepit. The stake can be screwed into the socket when in use or unscrewedwhen not in use. This invention contains a mechanism within the stake,so the cable does not twist when the stake is screwed or unscrewed. Thecable does not twist; thereby not interfering with the screwing action.2. The stake of claim 1 is made of a metal, plumbing water-pipe: whereindimensions such as 3/4 inch diameter and 15 inches long can vary.
 3. Thepit of claim 1, wherein on earth: The stake can be hammered in thecenter of the clay, dirt, or sand. Whereas, the claim 1 stake isconnected to a metal plate and the plate placed underneath the clay,dirt, or sand.
 4. The pit of claim 1, wherein portable: The pit can bemade of wood, metal, or plastic; wherein dimensions of 1/4 by 25 by 25inches can widely vary.
 5. The pit of claim 1, wherein portable: The pitcan be padded with a cloth covered foam material, wherein the materialscan vary.
 6. The socket of claim 1 is a threaded pipe connector, whereinthe stake screws into the socket. Whereas the connector is a pipe-flangeor pipe-end-cap can vary.
 7. The cable of claim 1, wherein 1/8 inchdiameter and 10 inches long can vary.
 8. The cable of claim 1: Whereinone end of the cable is securely connected to the pit. The other end ofthe cable is securely connected in the pipe to a metal tube within thepipe; whereas the pipe spins freely when screwing the stake into thesocket and the cable does not twist.